The proclaimer of the Messiah (1) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.
Luke 1:13

The proclaimer of the Messiah (1)
Zechariah and Elizabeth were a godly couple. The fact that they had no children led them to prayer. Then, when they were both old, the unexpected happened: God heard their prayers and gifted them with a special child – John (the Baptist). The evangelist Luke recounts how this came to pass.

When it was Zacharias’ turn to serve as a priest in the temple, an angel of the Lord appeared to him and announced the unimaginable: his wife, who had already grown old, was to have a son. Zacharias had doubts and expressed them, demanding some proof from the angel. In doing so, he did something that many who are confronted with the message of the Bible still do today: they have difficulties accepting it. But God is much greater than we can imagine. And at the same time, He is a merciful God who, in His goodness, wants to draw near to us.

How did God react to Zacharias’ objection? He had the angel say, “You will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time” (v. 20). Zacharias was temporarily mute. All those who interacted with him observed this. What an impressive sign!

And then what God had announced happened. Elizabeth became pregnant and John was born. His name couldn’t be more fitting, because it meant “God is kind”. This one became the last, and at the same time the greatest, prophet of Israel. He was to prepare the Jewish people for the coming of Jesus. His message can still be heard today: “Behold the Lamb of God!” (John 1:36).

(to be concluded tomorrow)

Today’s reading: Zechariah 9:1-17 · Mark 14:12-26